American Society is a Society of Denial Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

American Society is a Society of Denial - Essay Example The troops too have been conditioned on the power of silence, and so they have no one to share their stories to. Apparently, the civilians have learnt to shut out the war veterans, literary, as they attempt to share their experiences and tribulations at war. Who then, can dispute that the United States is indeed a society in denial In his 1994 publication titled, "Achilles in Vietnam: combat trauma and the undoing of character", Jonathan Shay (1994) describes, through the testimonies of veterans in Vietnam, how the war commanders would habitually attempt to eradicate normal compassion feelings and perception that were elicited by troops from the United States who were in this war. During times of war, military necessity, along with political propaganda acts as a yardstick of not just what the troops are able to perceive, but also the manners in which they are able to do so. According to Shay (1994), military superiors that were charged with the responsibility of handling both trauma and crime had a habit of telling their troops that these two occurrence never happened in the first place, and that the troops did not also experience them (Shay 1994). With such a mindset therefore, little wonder then, that when they were being interviewed by news reporters, the troops would not hesitate to point out that that trauma never occurred, and if it did, they somewhat expected it. Shay recounts how he recorded the testimony of one former troop in Vietnam, and how he recounted the ordeals back then with a taste of anger and bitterness. Apparently, his superiors were trying to alter the veteran's perception as regards the collective murder that he had not only contributed to, but also saw the dead bodies when daylight came. The comforting words of his superior were that he need not worry about the ordeal, and that his superiors would handle it. The superiors would then go ahead and commend the officers for what they called 'a job well done'. Ultimately, the trend found its way into the United States after the war was over (Bacevich 2005). Those soldiers that make it back home often get medals of Honor, albeit with a condition; that they ma intain silence as regards the pathos, realities, as well as the bizarre ills of war. To the war veterans, obstinate ignorance of the members of the public becomes a basis for pain. Through his short story titled Soldier's Home, Ernest Hemingway sheds light on how reluctant the civilians were to attend to the intuitive requirements of the troops who were returning back to the United States upon the end of the First World War. This book by Hemingway was published in 1925, and it therefore coincides with the end of the war. The story talks about Kerbs, a young soldier from Oklahoma. Upon return, he is not keen to disclose war issues. With time however, the urge to address war matter builds up. He thus desires to share these issues with his family, friends, as well as neighbors. However, Hemingway observes that "Nobody wanted to hear about it" (Rockwell 2008). Apparently, the young man's town had no wish to learn about war atrocities. Krebs finally discovered that if the town people were to listen to his stories, then he hand no choice but to lie about the war. Apparently the capability of this young man to absorb into the way of life of the civilians hinged upon how keen he has to put

Education policy Essay Example for Free

Education policy Essay Security, quality education, access to healthcare, prospects of a reasonable job on merit and sound economy are the ingredients to be provided by the state to its citizens to run the state and the society smoothly. Growth of successful nations is denoted particularly to the education. There was a time when people believed that higher education should be available to people of all social classes and, obviously, it was freely available to all who wanted it. The fact that it is not, that public education was once available and now it is very hard to access is indicative of deep problems in Pakistan. Encouraging colleges and universities to raise their own resources by charging higher fees has clearly excluded a significant section of students belonging to poor sections of the society. Education in Pakistan is now so expensive that poor can’t even imagine of their children becoming doctors and engineers. Our education system is passing through a very bad phase now and it is regarded as perhaps amongst the poorest in the world. Cream of the Pakistani brain is either becoming idle due to non-availability of ever rising cost of education or going to other countries. UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS Article 1 provides; every child has the right to have equal access to an education, irrespective of their color, creed, nationality, ethnicity, or social and financial status, so they may obtain gainful employment and contribute to the growth of their society, being born free and equal in dignity and rights. Life for a common man in Pakistan in this so called â€Å"democratic† regime has already become difficult owing to the all-round price rise across the country. Inflation, combined with policies of privatization, has caused a complete deterioration in living standards of the people. Frankly speaking, there is no such thing as democracy in Pakistan. This type of â€Å"democracy† has often left the common man in constant struggle for survival. Majority of Pakistanis are living in poverty and unsustainable economic conditions; when they are struggling for their livelihood education loses its utility in their eyes and it becomes far from their desire. But for the riches and powerful corrupt politicians, things are very rosy. Pakistan is suffering terribly for that, with socio-political and economic crises strewn all over the society like a straw hut in a typhoon. Lack of good education and unemployment in Pakistan would contribute many social ills, including crime, prostitution, and the break down in law and order. In Pakistan, providing education to the masses had always been state responsibility. Now there has been a major push for the private provision of educational services. Moreover, corrupt politicians, feudalism, injustice are such problems which have further pressed the most pressed people of the country. Education is a tremendous tool for social change as well as an opportunity out of poverty traps. People trapped in the lower classes have trouble climbing out of it because they lack the tools to do so, because they live in a feudal society that actively works to keep them there, and education can be a form of escape hatch. But Education System in Pakistan In Human development Report Pakistan is placed at 136th position for having just 49. 9% educated population. In addition to that, Pakistan is ranked at 113th out of 120 registered UN members according to the research conducted by UNESCO et. all. Some of the very basic flaws of the education system in Pakistan contribute to the economic, ethnic and sociopolitical crisis within the country. Flaws of Education System in Pakistan Firstly, the education system of Pakistan is based on unequal lines. Medium of education is different in both, public and private sector. This create a sort of disparity among people, dividing them into two segments. Such a distraught infrastructure is a basic cause of high illiteracy rate in Pakistan and high drop out rates in rural areas and public school. Secondly, regional disparity is also a major cause. The schools in Balochistan (the largest province of Pakistan by Area) are not that much groomed as that of Punjab (the largest province Of Pakistan by Population). In FATA, the literacy rate is deplorable constituting 29. 5% in males and 3% in females. The third major cause of flawed education system in Pakistan is gender discrimination. The current primary school ratio of boys and girls is 10:4, which is a cause of huge concern. For the last few years there has been an increase in the growth of private schools. It is believed that Pakistan is among the most prominent states affected by gender discrimination. That not only harms the quality of education in Pakistan but create a gap among haves and have nots. Fourthly, the lack of technical education is a biggest flaw in the education policy that has never been focused before. Therefore, less technical people means low standard of education. Fifthly, the allocation of funds for education are very low. It is only 1. 5 to 2. 0 percent of the total GDP. It should be around 7% of the total GDP. At that budget allocation, the illiteracy rate in Pakistan would not decrease but rather increase. The federal and provincial governments need to cut down their expenditures in other areas and spend a bigger proportion of income on education. Moreover, the quality of education in most of the public schools and colleges is well below par; the teachers in government schools are not well trained. People who do not get job in any other sector, they try their luck in educational system. They are not professionally trained teachers so they are unable to train a nation. Quality of teaching needs special attention in rural areas where the teachers lack in all departments. In America, Europe and most of the developed countries, the emphasis of the states is on developing virtual education systems i. e. provision of education through online networks. The idea of online education is gathering momentum and many online institutions have been set up which offer online courses and online degrees. The Higher Education Commission and Education ministry need to focus on developing a strong online education network so that students through out the country can benefit. Universities such as Harvard, Berkley and MIT are offering online courses and degrees. It reflects the importance of online education in todays modern high tech world. Finally, Poverty is also another factor that restrict the parents to send their children to public or private schools. So, they prefer to send their children to Madrassas where education is totally free. The government has to make changes to financial infrastructure to improve the situation. Bank loans for education purposes should not be interest based as it discourages the people of Pakistan to acquire loans. Education loans are offered at low rates through out the world and it enable people to acquire quality education. Social awareness regarding all these issues need to be spread and we, the people of Pakistan have to work hand in hand with the government authorities to improve the current system. Our children should not be deprived of their basic right to acquire knowledge. All these issues contribute to high illiteracy rate, which in turn result in economic crisis in shape of high unemployment rate and below-par quality of labor. Moreover, the country suffers on social, political and technological front! There are hundred other problems which need attention but the core-issues need to be addressed as soon as possible. You can read my article Pakistans Educational System which is an overview of the education infra-structure within the country. In todays world, the benchmark for excellence is education. Moreover, if a country has a distraught academic infrastructure, the chances to survive in current competitive world are petite. The illiteracy rate in Pakistan is alarmingly high which calls for critical attention. The federal and provincial governments need to work together towards elimination of flaws of education system in Pakistan. The first time I thought about education and its significance to this society was when I went on a field trip to a school set up by an NGO in the late 1990s. It is now a rightly famous NGO but back then during my sixth grade field trip it just seemed like a project of a group of cranky Karachi businessmen who had decided to spit against the wind of the government’s non-interest in providing education to its people. These rich grouches had  gotten together in the chaos of 1995 Karachi and seeing the government more interested in massacring hard-boiled militants than provide social services, they decided to simply pool their own money and build their own schools. How benevolent of them. I would love to see these rich men’s tax receipts. The citizens of a country shouldn’t be dependent on the benevolent charity of rich men. Through their own democratic political process, citizens must enforce upon their richest members the income taxes necessary to fund an education system that reaches every child in the state. The fact that Pakistanis have not done so points towards the weakness of their political system in dealing with its population’s educational needs. There is no real shortcut from the state actually enforcing a tax system that extracts the adequate revenue needed to fund the creation of a school near every human settlement in Pakistan. The goal I have described of having a school near every human settlement in Pakistan, is what Pakistan is obligated to do under its current international treaties and the simplest and most straightforward way it can be done. It is certainly not impossible. Pakistan has managed to make sure that no human settlement lacks a mosque. The same needs to be done for schools. Where we went wrong Nationalisation of schools, as was done by the Z. A. Bhutto administration, was a shortcut that cannot be used, and was actually instrumental in ruining government schools. The provincial governments that ran education departments became overstretched then to the point of breaking. The schools that were nationalised saw the prospect of future capital and human investment in them pointless, as the former owners were now dispossessed of their old stake in the schools. Good teachers left, rather than become government employees to be posted in far flung places, and the lack of good teacher training colleges, a necessity unacknowledged up until recently, saw little competent replacement. By nationalising the missionary (Christian), faith-based (Muslim) and private schools, an unwieldy, unplanned expansion of Pakistan’s school system reduced the status of government school teachers to the corrupted, incompetent, ineffective place it finds itself in today. Teachers do not come to classes, and if they do, they are ill-prepared to teach. It becomes difficult to weed out and penalise underperforming teachers because their status as government employees prevents them from being penalised as they would be in the private sector. As much as this rhetoric may sound similar to the United States, Pakistan’s teachers’ unions continue to shelter wildly incompetent teachers, who beyond being simply bad at teaching, many times do not even show up. Anti-participatory environment We are not helped either by large class sizes, low teacher to student ratios, non-production of teachers in a sufficient quantity and quality by the low number of Pakistani teacher-training colleges. Central to this remains the criminally low expenditure on education by Pakistan, and the failure to collect or divert enough revenue to the education sector. Taking the education emergency of Pakistan seriously would mean finding means to increase the amounts spent on education in Pakistan, on a war footing. Students cannot themselves push for an effective learning environment. Despite the fact that some students actually do want to learn, the environment that exists in classrooms, does not brook dissent. This discourages students from bringing up flaws in their educational setting. This anti-participatory environment in classrooms is facilitated by excessively large class sizes, which discourages teachers from having more individualised interactions with students. This anti-participatory trend in classrooms is complemented by an anti-democratic trend in schools, where no voting is done to elect new prefects or monitors, rather the relevant students are appointed by the school administration. Giving students an opportunity to actually vote for their school leaders might inculcate democratic and participatory values in them at an earlier age, and teach them the responsibility of making their own decisions. If and when these students reach Pakistani universities, they can adequately recognise the entrenched authoritarianism accumulated in many of Pakistan’s universities over the last three decades. Student politics This persistent anti-democratic trend within Pakistan’s educational establishments has reinforced the low academic quality of these institutions. There is little legitimate input from the student bodies on how their education is conducted. Since the 1980s student union elections have been either banned or delayed, witnessing unrest in a violent country like Pakistan ripple into campuses as violence, as opposed to measured  debate. The situation turned chaotic in the 1990s when the general mayhem of the city of Karachi coincided with violence on the Karachi University campus. The presence of such violence made the students of that decade disinterested in participatory politics. This suited the authoritarian and bureaucratic administrations of varsities, as well as the sclerotic, unelected leadership of Pakistan’s political parties. They did not mind that the students of Pakistan slid into political apathy. However, the importance of student politics was re-kindled in the 2007 lawyer-led movement against the dictatorship of General Musharraf. The importance of student politics was even acknowledged by the government that won against Musharraf in 2008, when it lifted the ban on student and trade union elections. However, the twist in the tale has been the glaring domestic democratic deficit of this government. The anti-participatory atmosphere on campuses has not lifted as no memorable student elections have been held. Neither have any well-publicised trade union elections been held. And most significantly, no internal party elections have been held in any party that maintains a decisive number of seats in parliament. What the lack of student democracy has to do with Pakistan’s state of education is that there is no feedback from students, who are the objects of education. There is no diminishment in the cruel authoritarian atmosphere of Pakistani government classrooms, where teachers, in negligent enough environments can still use sticks to punish students. I never really thought about education in society as a child. That would have been expected of any 11 year old. But when I visited a third grade NGO school classroom in the late ’90s and saw another 11 year old struggling with phrases I would read just for fun, it hit me how serious the problem of illiteracy was for Pakistani society. In a misbegotten decade as that one, beyond the Gordian knot we had witnessed of Karachi’s bloody politics, the reality of children’s mis-education struck me as a crueler fate, a dire issue that had to be resolved immediately. That’s because these ill-educated children would not remain children much longer. They would soon be badly-educated adults. And if this cruel act of omission by Pakistani society was not amended quick enough, then one more generation would see their adulthoods wasting away under the 21st century curse of illiteracy. Tax the rich, teach the kids. We have an education emergency on our hands. The Education System of Pakistan is divided into five levels 1. Primary level (Class 1 to 5) 2. Middle level (Class 5 to 8th) 3. Secondary level (S. S. C) 4. Intermediate level (H. S. C) 5. University level (Graduation, Masters and Research) Another division of Education System in Pakistan according to the School System 1. 1.  Public Schools or Government Schools These schools are managed and financed by the government. Unfortunately, the majority of the schools are in poor condition.  » There is no any merit system; teachers and other staff are appointed by the ministers on their own wishes.  » There is no any accountability; a large number of GHOST SCHOOLS AND GHOST TEACHERS are listed in the documents. They are receiving funds and pays, but, in reality they did not exists.  » In Rural areas, the buildings of public schools are mostly held by Waderas and Feudal. They use them as marriage halls, otaks, bethaks etc. â€Å"Public schools are the nurseries of all vice and immorality. † (Henry Fielding) 1. 2. Elite Class Schools (private schools) Due to badly failure of government in providing the Education, the Elite Class Education System in Pakistan got successes very quickly. Today, even poor prefer to send their child in these private schools but because of high fee structure many aspirants are unable to part this Education System. It is generally accepted that, the standard of Elite Class Education System is more reliable and first-rate than Public Schools and Madarsas. There is accountability, transparency and checking system. Generally, the students of private schools are more competent than those of public schools and Madarsas. The government should take lessons from this Education System. These are successive models for the government i. e. CITY SCHOOL, BEACON SCHOOLS, PAK-TURK SCHOOLS etc. 1. 3. Madarsas Madarsas are the largest NGOs of the world. Today in Pakistan about 8000 Madarsas are working. They provide not only Education but also accommodation and food. They provide Islamic as well as worldlyEducation. Mostly, poor parents who are unable to educate their child prefer this Education System. The government should introduce the reforms for the Madarsas and improve their standard. This will be helpful in two ways. Firstly, it will provide free of cost education to poor child. Secondly, it will lessen the burden the government. Before the 18th Amendment, the EducationSystem in Pakistan was the responsibility of Federal Government. The Ministry of Education at Federal level was responsible for formulating Policies, Planning and Promotion of Educational facilities across the country. But, after the passing of 18th Amendment, the responsibilities of Education System are divided among the Federation and the Provinces. The responsibilities of the Provinces 1. To set the Curriculum 2. To set the Syllabus 3. Standards of Education up to Grade 12 (F. Sc, H. S. C, I. Com, etc). 4. Islamic Education The responsibilities of Federation are following 1. Planning and Policy 2. External Affairs; Signing, implementation and monitoring of Bilateral and Multi-lateral Educational Agreements, Pacts, Protocols, MoUs 3. Controlling of Libraries, museums, and similar institutions 4. Federal agencies i. e. FATA 5. Special Studies 6. Inter-provincial matters and co-ordination. † 7. Legal, medical and other professions. 8. National planning and national economic coordination including planning and coordination of scientific and technological research. 9. National Education Policy and clear cut Domain over the following acts. 1. 1. Centres of Excellence Act 1974 2. Area Study Centres Act 1975 3. Pakistan Study Centres Act 1976 4. National Book Foundation Act 1972 5. Fed. Board of Intermediate Sec Education Act 1975 6. Federal Directorate of Education Isb. [Article 142 (d)] 7. Federal Supervision of Curricula, Textbooks and Standards of Education Act 1976 8. National Education Foundation Ordinance 2002. Source: http://www. defence. pk/forums/national-political-issues/125588-education-system-pakistan-good-bad. html#ixzz2PKkMjbtM Flaws hovering over Pakistan’s education system Filed under ISSUES 0 According to the reports of Human development our country is placed at 136th with just 49. 9 percent educated population. There is lack of uniform education system. Private and Govt. educational institutions has different syllabus. The flaws in education system lead to sociopolitical, economic and ethical issues in our society. Our education system is based on uneven lines. Even the medium of education is different in private and public educational institutions. This inequality has divided people among two segments. Such a distressed educational infrastructure is a crucial cause of increasing rate of illiteracy in Pakistan. The regional discrepancy is also main reason illiteracy in Pakistan. The schools in largest province of Pakistan Baluchistan are not establish and sparked as schools in Punjab. There is lack of awareness among people about the significance of education. In FATA the literacy rate is very poor constituting 29. 5% in men and 3% in women. The gender discrimination is also one of the major causes of educational flaws in country which is projecting the boys and girls primary schools ratio 10:4 correspondingly. In the last few years many new primacy schools for girls and boys are established but still there is need to establish more and more primary schools to meet the educational needs of increasing population. In the last decade the growth of private sector schools is tremendously increased. The private schools trend not just harms the quality of education but also created a huge gap between rich and poor. The people of lower class couldn’t afford the fees of private educational schools and colleges. In public schools there is lack of quality education. There is also shortage of required facilities like qualified, train staff, furniture and school buildings etc. Our educational policy doesn’t focus on technical education. There are very few technical institutions and less technical trained people in country. The funds allocated for the education are not sufficient the funds are just about 1. 5 % to 2. 0% of total GDP. Although to promote the education the funds must be about 7 percent of total country GDP. With increased education budget the literacy rate in country will surely increased. The provincial and federal Government both need spend a larger portion of their income on promoting education. Author: Rizwan Ghani Posted On: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 Source/Reference: www. pakobserver. net Total Views :1320| After 18th Amendment, improvement of education in Pakistan to international standards can be done with help of international frameworks including Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and boards like National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Federal and provincial governments have to address the issue of teaching language (English, Urdu or regional languages), standardization of curriculum, and dealing with two-track education system- Urdu and English medium to take local and international exams. These tested frameworks can bring the progress of decades in Pakistan while saving billions of dollars. Thus, Pakistan needs to adopt appropriate policies to raise education standards, sustain economy and earn foreign exchange. The political, social and education complexities of teaching language can be controlled with help of international frameworks. PISA does not require the member states to change curriculums, teaching languages and teaching methodologies. It allows governments to periodically monitor outcomes of national education systems within internationally agreed framework. It provides a basis for international collaboration in defining and implementing educational goals and skills that are relevant to adult life (professional and social). PISA reading, mathematics and general science frameworks help bring national education at par with international standards. Around half a million 15-year-olds from 75 countries representing 28 million students, participated in PISA 2009 assessments and surveys. Pakistan can use PISA to improving national education standards in all provincial languages (www. pisa. oecd. org). Teaching in local languages can improve Pakistan’s education standards internationally. According to the 2011 Writing Framework for National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) of America, good writing instruction empowers students to acquire new knowledge and to develop critical thinking skills. This is true of writing in all subject areas, not just English language http //www. state. nj. us/education/assessment/naep/results/writing/2011naep. PISA and NAEP framework rubrics allow student evaluations irrespective of language. Learning and teaching in mother tongue is a universal human right recognized by UN. China, was a top scorers in 2009 PISA testing http //www. nytimes. com/2010/12/07/education/07education. html. It shows education in mother tongue does not affect nation’s international competitiveness and national education standards. Since education is a provincial subject, therefore provinces should be free to impart education in local languages, make English and Urdu as optional languages. Provinces can issue degrees with pass/fail with English/Urdu or both to free the country from politics of language. It will allow students to continue higher education without passing compulsory languages, which is a major contributor to school and college dropouts. It will allow the students to join job market who do not wish to continue with further education. The employer can omit or consider language(s) pass/fail status of candidate at the time of employment. On the other hand, the higher education institutions can keep compulsory languages as part of admission criteria. In line with many American universities, a six months period can be given to first year university students to clear compulsory languages. In terms of syllabus, international frameworks and boards can help Pakistan’s policy makers develop required syllabuses, fulfill demands of local market, and meet national education objectives to bring national and international education at par. They allow improving exam testing and incorporating modern technology in reading and writing. In addition, they facilitate linking of national boards to international boards like NBME (www. nbme. org). NBME model allows state medical qualified doctors to take national level exams, upgrade national education and examination standards and link them to rest of the world. It allows tens of thousands of international medical graduates to take United States Medical Licensing Exam without actually studying in American medical colleges. It is equally true for British, Australian and New Zealand medical boards. This model can help cut cost of professional education and fight poverty in Pakistan. Based on these frameworks and models, federal and provincial governments of Pakistan should collaborate to standardize local education and bring it equal to international standards. Islamabad should hold annual summits with China and western countries in line with reports of annual Indo-US higher education summits planning collaboration of universities in both countries. In addition, Pakistan needs to allow private publishers to print books according to the contents of given courses. It will improve concepts of students, standard of books and education. The existing control of federal government on higher education needs to be changed by allowing provinces complete control of universities, scholarships, hiring, training etc. Federal government needs to become a regulatory body instead of controlling authority and facilitates provinces to standardize higher education, provincial education and bring it equal to international levels. Federal education setup should work with ministry of labor and manpower to identify and develop human resource for interprovincial and overseas market, work with foreign missions to issue annual forecast of overseas jobs and train foreign workers and students. Pakistan needs to organize education to cater to local and international needs, attract foreign investors and earn foreign revenue. Reportedly, America and Britain earned $31bn and ? 8 bn in 2010 from foreign students respectively. China is charging $5333 boarding lodging fee annually for a five-year MBBS and one-year internship. It is also offering seven-year specialization degree programs (5 years MBBS and 2 years specialization) in most medical fields. Beijing has gained international recognition through standardized tuition fees, transparency, qualified staff and allowing foreign students and teachers in local universities (http //www.4icu. org/cn/). The Chinese model can help Pakistan cut prices of professional education by 50 percent and train surplus number of local and foreign students to sustain domestic and international needs. In line with China, Pakistan should also take necessary steps to attract flocks of foreign students, interns and investors. Finally, a debate is going on in China on two-track system- one for national college entrance exam (the gaokao) and other for international exams. Imran Khan’s PTI is deliberating about single education system. Pakistan can overcome challenge of teaching language, two-track system (English and Urdu medium) and bringing local education at par with international with help of international frameworks, NBME and more freedom to provinces. | Pakistans Education System and Links to Extremism Author: Jayshree Bajoria October 7, 2009 * Introduction * A Dysfunctional System * Government Reform Plans * The Madrassa Myth? * Reforming Madrassas * U. S. Policy Implications. Pakistans poor education system has increasingly become a matter of international concern. Lack of access to quality education, which in turn limits economic opportunity, makes young Pakistanis targets for extremist groups, some experts say. The World Bank says nearly half the adult population of Pakistan cant read, and net primary enrollment rates remain thelowest in South Asia. Experts say the system suffers from inadequate government investment, corruption, lack of institutional capacity, and a poor curriculum that often incites intolerance. In August 2009, chief counterterrorism adviser to the White House John Brennan, summing up a concern held by many U. S. terrorism experts, said extremist groups in Pakistan have exploited this weakness. It is why they offer free education to impoverished Pakistani children, where they can recruit and indoctrinate the next generation, he said. There have been some efforts by the Pakistani government, Western governments, and the World Bank to reform the system, but serious challenges remain. A Dysfunctional System According to the Pakistani governments National Education Policy 2009 (PDF), three parallel streams in educationpublic schools, private schools, and Islamic religious schools, or madrassashave created unequal opportunities for students. Of the total number of students going to primary school (grades 1 to 5), 73 percent go to public or government schools, 26 percent to private schools, and less than 1 percent to madrassas, according to the Karachi-based policy research institute Social Policy and Development Center. Within the public and the private sector, there are elite schools catering to a small minority of students. The majority of students attend low-quality private and public schools with poor curriculum, limited teaching materials, and inadequate number of properly trained teachers, or in many cases absent teachers. [N]o Pakistani leader has had the courage to implement serious [education] reforms- Pervez Hoodbhoy The government-mandated curriculum is a major concern for Western observers who say it encourages intolerance and a narrow worldview. Except in some elite private schools, which do not follow the government-prescribed curriculum, all public schools and registered private schools have been required to teach Islamiyat, or Islamic studies, for nearly thirty years. In addition to Islamiyat, many scholars have noted that the government curriculum uses Islam for a wide array of controversial ideological objectives, writes C. Christine Fair in the 2008 book The Madrassah Challenge. A 2003 report on the state of curriculum and textbooks by the Islamabad-based independent Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) said that for over two decades.

Santiago as Code Hero in Hemingways The Old Man and The Sea Essay

Santiago as Code Hero in Hemingway's The Old Man and The Sea "The Old Man and the Sea" is a heroic tale of man's strength pitted against forces he cannot control. It is a story about an old Cuban fisherman and his three-day battle with a giant Marlin. Through the use of three prominent themes; friendship, bravery, and Christianity; the "Old Man and the Sea" strives to teach important life lessons to the reader while also epitomizing Santiago, the old fisherman, as a Hemingway code hero. The relationship between Santiago and the boy is introduced early in the story. They are unlikely companions; one is old and the other young, yet they share an insuperable amount of respect and loyalty for each other. Santiago does not treat Manolin as a young boy but rather as an equal. Age is not a factor in their relationship. Manolin does not even act as a young boy; he is mature and sensitive to Santiago's feelings. He even offers to disobey his parents and accompany Santiago on his fishing trips. Santiago is viewed as an outcast in his village because he has not caught any fish for more than eighty-four days and is therefore "unlucky". Nonetheless Manolin is loyal to Santiago and even when his parents forbid him he wants to help his friend. Their conversations are comfortable, like that of two friends who have known each other for a long time. When they speak it is usually about baseball or fishing, the two things they have most in common. Their favorite team is the Yankees and Santiago never loses faith in them even when the star player, Joe DiMaggio is injured with a heel spur. In this way Santiago not only teaches Manolin about fishing but also about important characteristics such as faith. In the story Santiago's bravery is uns... ...e does allow Christianity to be a more dominant theme than the other but instead makes it more symbolic than intentional. He does not smother the relationship between the old man and the young boy but instead separates them for a large part of the story. Finally, he does not make Santiago's bravery a central them by highlighting his weaknesses. In the end the old mans perseverance and faith pay off. He finally gains the respect of the village and succeeds in teaching Manolin the lessons of faith and bravery. In Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea", one will find many examples in which the main character, Santiago, surpasses many hardships while being courageous, brave, and being a friend. Each of these: courage, bravery, and friendship, are qualities in a Hemingway code hero. Hemingway, Ernest. "The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999.

Logic and knowledge assignment Essay

1. The poles of knowledge are related to experience in that experience serves to bring out a connection of a particular meaning of an issue that has occurred in the past. The individual will therefore refer to the past so that he can bring out the truth of the matter. 2. The objects of knowledge are constituted in a manner in which they are integral because all these senses are in a position to distinguish various elements as either right or wrong e. g. the eye can determine whether what it has seen is right or wrong while the ear can select what to hear. 3. Intellect begins to function when the mind presents the reality in a distinct and a clear way so that truth can be said to have been exercised. 4. The animal intelligence is different from the human intelligence in that the animal intelligence cannot separate or unite concepts which are considered elements that make up logic. 5. A concept is a material that represents logic in its untrue or unfinished state while judgment is discerning the differences between some given forms of matter in a finished and a clear manner. While concepts are incomplete and imperfect, judgments are complete and perfect thoughts that the individual’s mind will rest upon in making decisions. Whereas a judgment can deny or reaffirm some of subject matter, a concept denies or affirms it. The two aspects also differ in that while concept stands for a meaning of a certain issue; judgment is an expression of the concept. 6. Concept differs from a simple apprehension as an act because it does not affirm or deny and therefore becomes an incomplete and an imperfect act. The reason why it does not represent a complete act is rest upon the mind not resting on this point and therefore needs to seek and get the real answer to the problem in question. 7. The image is different from the concept because an image can be expressed in form of the characteristics of the object in its material from that is its concreteness and the variable of the material while a concept is immaterial, constant, universal and abstract. 8. Judgment separates images by giving the distinction between one image and the other. It therefore does not unite images but separates them in their form and differences. 9. It is possible for a vague image to be universal because an object in the mind which is represented as a concept has the property that it can be represented as universal, abstract and constant and therefore a vague object in the mind of an individual can be represented as universal. 10. Simple apprehension can be false because the mind has not yet registered any evidence of truth about the matter. An example is when a person gives a word which has several meanings in a class. The minds of the students will revolve around all the meanings of the word but they will want to be told further some hint about the details of the issue and therefore they can establish the real meaning of the issue. Otherwise the issue would represent either false or true answers in the minds of the students. 11. In logic â€Å"notes† refer to the elements of complex meaning. 12. Comprehension of a concept refers to the articulation of notes in the mind of a person in the right order. 13. Comprehension relates with the essential definition in that comprehension is the coming up with the real meaning of an issue after definition as been done that is coming up with probable solutions. Initial definition therefore aids in comprehension. 14. â€Å"Specific property† differs from â€Å"descriptive characteristic† in that specific property is the act of giving the object the real meaning that it specifically fits while descriptive characteristics refers to the ability of logic to unite and separate the concepts. 15. Extension is the property of an object in which a concept is represented in a combination of the real things which are actual and possible to be applied. Comprehension is the idea of the intellect knowing the meaning and essence of a particular object and expressing this meaning in a definition. 16. These two terms vary inversely because comprehension does not necessary refer to knowing the facts of the matter while extension means the real facts of the subject matter is really known and therefore the concept can be confidently represented. 17. A term refers to the concepts that do not have any significance when they are represented on their own while ‘syncategorematic words’ refer to the concepts that connote some particular issue when they stand on their own. 18. Universal is different from generality in that while universal means something that is widely accepted in a big region like the entire world, generality means a concept that is perceived in a particular person’s mind and it could be different from the perception of another person somewhere else. 19. a. Signification of terms Signification of the terms is the dividing of terms so that they meaning is affected. Examples include the use of the word â€Å"man† it can either have the meaning of masculine or it can be used to mean individuals regardless of their sex orientation. b. Supposition of terms Supposition of the terms refers to the terms in which a word stands; it does not represent the meaning of the term alone but also a proposition of the term. An example is â€Å"Paul is short† this phrase indicates that the truth about Paul’s height is that he is short. 20. It’s important to study logic because it makes individuals to learn things from the truthful way. Logic often bases issues in a truthful manner and therefore if people followed logic then concepts can easily be inferred as correct and therefore problems solved easily. Reference: Etienne Gilson, Knowledge as Understanding, the Christian Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas, Chapter V, pp. 200-206

6 Sources of Leadership Power

Job Description – Accounting Officer Job Details Title Department Reporting to Accounting Officer Finance Management Accountant Direct Reports Authorities Last updated Nil Refer Delegations April 2012 Job Purpose The Accounting Officer is accountable to the Management Accountant and is responsible for ensuring that all development contribution and sundry debtors are invoiced, and that these debts are collected when due. The position is also responsible for all aspects of payroll for staff and elected members. These services include: Control of debtors sub ledger Debtor invoicing and reconciliationsDebt collection Fortnightly and monthly payroll processing General ledger reconciliations Assistance with general accounting My Team CEO Deputy CEO / General Manager Finance Accounting Manager Management Accountant Accounting Officer Finance Administrator – Accounts Payable Key relationships External ? Debtors ? Lakes Environmental ? Payroll Software Provider ? Inland Revenue ? Trails and Youth Trusts ? Auditors Internal ? Chief Executive Officer ? Deputy CEO / Finance Manager ? Accounting Manager ? Management Accountant ? Activity managers ? Staff Key accountabilities Responsibility/objectivePayroll Administration: Coordination and Management of payroll function Maintain the Council’s Debtors system. Outcome ? Liaison with staff and councillors on all payroll matters. ? Collation, input, checking and processing of fortnightly payroll data, including expense claims and other one-off transactions. ? Processing of monthly Councillor payroll. ? Processing and administration of IRD and other payroll deductions. ? Distribution of payslips and various payroll reports. ? Administration and reconciliation of Annual and Sick leave entitlements. ? Input of payroll journals to the general ledger. Reconciliation of all payroll related general ledger accounts to the payroll. ? Completion of quarterly and annual statistical payroll returns by requested deadline s. ? Maintain confidentiality of all payroll information. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Debt Recovery ? ? ? Ensure Control accounts are in balance at all times. Generate invoices and credit notes as required/requested (this includes Development Contributions, Lakes Environmental, Private Plan Change charges, Section Clearance & other Sundry debtors). Ensure debtor receipts are allocated correctly. Distribute monthly statements. Reconcile the debtors’ and parking ledgers monthly to nsure they are accurate and fully updated. Perform month end roll over within 5 working days of the end of the month. Compile monthly aged debtor’s reports and other detailed debtor reports. Prepare Debtor reports for FACC committee by agenda deadlines. Debt reminder letters sent out on a regular basis, and email and phone contact when necessary. Liaise with relevant council personnel to assist with collection of outstanding debt. Ensure all correspondence logged in Debt Management ? ? system. Negotiate pa yment programmes where appropriate and monitor for performance and ensure up to date.All queries are responded to within 7 days of receipt. Training of all managers and staff on the use of the invoicing system ? Ensure that all staff are adequately trained with a high skill level and understanding of the QLDC invoicing system. Ensure that all processing is performed in a timely and accurate manner ? ? ? Checking all input for accuracy before processing. Input of data including invoices & credit notes is timely. Ensure back charging required is performed on a regular monthly basis. Ensure all credit notes are property authorised. Invoices for Development Contributions and ResourceContributions are issued on time. ? ? General Accounting ? ? ? ? Processing journals and general ledger maintenance as necessary, accurately and in a timely manner. Street Front Bonds detailed schedule maintained and reconciled. Subdivision Bonds schedule maintained and reconciled. Year End Audit reconciliat ions. Provide assistance with the following: ? Assisting the Management Accountant to ensure integrity of the General Ledger (coding accuracy). ? Assisting the Management Accountant with preparation of monthly management reports. ? Assisting the Management Accountant with budget input and monitoring. Assist with allocation of overheads to departments. ? Production of all financial reports in accordance with published timetables. Manages Health and Safety ? Ensure compliance to all legal/statutory and company requirements for health and safety. Maintain professionalism ? ? ? Adhere to company policies. Keeping abreast with technology. Maintain and update oneself with knowledge required for job. Other duties, consistent with the role, as required from time to time by Manager and CEO. ? Key behavioural competencies Competency Excellent Service Description We get it done and do it wellRespect We value and respect others Inspiration We lead by example Collaboration We succeed by working together Accountability We are open and honest Qualifications/Experience Qualifications ? Experience ? ? ? Skills ? ? ? ? ? ? Agreed by: Team member: Manager: Essential A sound level of numerical, written and spoken English skills. At least two years of clerical experience with Accounts Receivable and Payroll. Proven history of management of large scale debtors ledger. Must be capable of interpreting information, with a competent level of problem solving ability. Must be solution focused.Windows and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel). Must be a team player and keep their eyes focussed on the wider goals of the organisation. Must be capable of operating with a minimal level of supervision, making appropriate decisions within authorities delegated. A high level of accuracy and the ability to keep detailed file notes. Strong communication, written and verbal. Signature: Desirable ? ? ? Date: An up to date knowledge of payroll legislation would be an advantage but not essential. Some general accounting experience or an understanding of accounting principles would be useful.

Educational dissatainment on the grounds of sex essays

Educational dissatainment on the grounds of sex essays The results from our observation and from the context analysis of the story clearly support the growing international notion that boys are simply underachieving at school. Whilst many think that boys are achieving no less there is definitely a growth in the gap between the sexes at all levels of education from secondary to primary schooling and possibly even from birth. Ultimately the figures speak for themselves with a noticeable gap being recognized at the age of 7 with girls leading in writing and reading, At 11 the gap then continues with girls out performing boys in all subjects including traditional male topics such as Math and Science. By the time of G.C.S.E results girls are again ahead disproving the idea that boys simply mature later. With girls dominance in traditional male subjects such as C.D.T. as a national survey showed (girls were two thirds better than boys were) and all over the board averaging 8% over the boys at G.C.S.E (Arnot et al, 1996). So what is the future for boys in society, is it possible for them to regain the ground or is it all societies fault? In this explanation we hope to explain some of the sociological theories which have been offered to explain this and ultimately why this gap has grown so suddenly with the help of both named studies and external statistical data. First of all to explain why women are suddenly out striping boys it is important to realise that this may not be a recent phenomenon which has suddenly occurred recently. For many feminists this is the view they have held for some time saying that prior to this growth female students were simply restricted from growing. A change in the female ideology has thus taken place as shown in Sue Sharpes study Just like a Girl in which girls reactions and thoughts on life were recorded in 1976 and later in 1994. From these results she concluded the 1976 pupils were simply worried about ...

Free Essays on Pascal, Blaise

Pascal, Blaise, 1623-62, French scientist and religious philosopher. Studying under the path of his father, a civil servant, Pascal showed great intelligencies, especially in mathematics and science. Before he was 16 he wrote a paper on conic sections, which won the respect of the mathematicians of Paris; at 19 he invented a calculating machine. Credited with founding the modern theory of probability, Pascal also discovered the properties of the cycloid and contributed to the advance of differential calculus. In physics his experiments increased knowledge of atmospheric pressure through barometric measurements and of the equilibrium of fluids. As a young man, Pascal came under the influence of Jansenism, and in 1651 his sister Jacqueline, who had also embraced Jansenist beliefs, entered the convent at Port-Royal, the center of the movement. As a result of the death of his father and of his own narrow escape from death, Pascal in 1654 experienced what he called a conversion and therea fter turned much of his attention to religion. When Antoine Arnauld, a noted Jansenist, was attacked by the Jesuits, Pascal championed him in his Lettre escrite un provincial (1656). Those Provincial Letters, rendered into Latin, quickly circulated throughout Europe, and they still hold a leading place in the literature of polite irony. Pascal's religious writings were after the death of his father and published as Pensees de M. Pascal sur la religion et sur quelques autres sujets (1670). For a modern edition Thoughts: An Apology for Christianity (1955). In the Pensees, famous both as a religious and philosophical classic, Pascal states his belief in the inadequacy of reason to solve man's difficulties or to satisfy his hopes. He preached instead the final necessity of mystic faith for true understanding of the universe and its meaning to man.... Free Essays on Pascal, Blaise Free Essays on Pascal, Blaise Pascal, Blaise, 1623-62, French scientist and religious philosopher. Studying under the path of his father, a civil servant, Pascal showed great intelligencies, especially in mathematics and science. Before he was 16 he wrote a paper on conic sections, which won the respect of the mathematicians of Paris; at 19 he invented a calculating machine. Credited with founding the modern theory of probability, Pascal also discovered the properties of the cycloid and contributed to the advance of differential calculus. In physics his experiments increased knowledge of atmospheric pressure through barometric measurements and of the equilibrium of fluids. As a young man, Pascal came under the influence of Jansenism, and in 1651 his sister Jacqueline, who had also embraced Jansenist beliefs, entered the convent at Port-Royal, the center of the movement. As a result of the death of his father and of his own narrow escape from death, Pascal in 1654 experienced what he called a conversion and therea fter turned much of his attention to religion. When Antoine Arnauld, a noted Jansenist, was attacked by the Jesuits, Pascal championed him in his Lettre escrite un provincial (1656). Those Provincial Letters, rendered into Latin, quickly circulated throughout Europe, and they still hold a leading place in the literature of polite irony. Pascal's religious writings were after the death of his father and published as Pensees de M. Pascal sur la religion et sur quelques autres sujets (1670). For a modern edition Thoughts: An Apology for Christianity (1955). In the Pensees, famous both as a religious and philosophical classic, Pascal states his belief in the inadequacy of reason to solve man's difficulties or to satisfy his hopes. He preached instead the final necessity of mystic faith for true understanding of the universe and its meaning to man....

5 MORE safety tips when searching for jobs online

5 MORE safety tips when searching for jobs online Work opportunities available to skilled and hardworking professionals have evolved substantially in recent years. Current job opportunities are commonly found through search engines, social networking platforms, and job sites. However, while there are many legitimate opportunities available online, there are also plenty of scams that can result in considerable stress and financial loss for unsuspecting individuals. There are multiple steps that you can take if you are preparing to look for a job online. For example, you can and should stay current about the latest scams so that you know what to watch for. You also should ensure that any websites that you use to look for jobs are trusted. We’ve covered some of the basics before. Here are 5 more safety tips you should use for your job search.Update your device protectionYour electronic devices understandably may already have anti-virus software protection, but this technology is updated regularly to combat the latest malware, sp yware and more. Spend a few minutes ensuring that the most updated version of this type of program is installed onto your  device before you begin your search. Specifically, it should include protection against phishing, malware, viruses, and spyware.You should be aware of other ways that criminals attempt to enter a vulnerable space. For example, some of the social media and hiring apps that legitimate recruiters use could actually contain a virus or other dangers. So before downloading that app, do your research; check reviews, or ask a friend. It only takes a few minutes to ensure your privacy is safe.You also be  wary of how you connect to the Internet. A public Wi-Fi connection makes it much easier for others to monitor your activities, and they can even intercept documents and vital information that you are sharing with a recruiter.Avoid passing along private information onlineYou may be aware that legitimate websites, such as your preferred bank, ask you for sensitive inf ormation. This includes your mother’s maiden name, your Social Security number, your credit card or bank account numbers and more. Be aware that a legitimate employer will not require you to submit this sensitive information digitally. These are vital pieces of information that criminals can use to hack into all of your other accounts.You should always be observant about the information that you share and who you share it with. Some information, such as your Social Security number, may legitimately be required after you are hired, but it should not be requested before this point.If it sounds too good to be true†¦it probably isOnline scams are becoming increasingly difficult to spot, but many job descriptions may set off an internal alarm. The reality is that better-paying jobs require you to bring skills or experience to the table. If you are being offered a high-paying job with no skills or experience required, this is likely a scam. Understand what some of the more not able scams are, such as being offered a very large sum of money to complete a menial task like stuffing envelopes.Other scams require you to purchase items out-of-pocket. This could even be something seemingly acceptable, such as a software program that the employer says is needed for the job. No employer will ask you to pay for software in order to apply for the job. Some scammers go so far as to require you to deposit large checks on their behalf. These are signs of a scam, and you should walk away from these perceived opportunities.Watch out for unsolicited offers of employmentYou may be filled with a momentary sense of pride and accomplishment when you receive an email with a job offer out of the blue. However, there is a solid chance that you were not the only one who received this offer. Many scammers send out huge email campaigns with an amazing job offer that appears to be specifically designed for you. These emails may come from popular domains, such as Yahoo, Gmail or Hotm ail.In many cases, the email instructs you to click a link for more information. Understand that this is a huge red flag. Any time you feel uncomfortable or suspicious, follow your intuition by deleting the email and forgetting about the â€Å"offer†. You’ll get plenty of legitimate opportunities!Ask yourself if it makes senseAt first glance, you may be excited about an amazing job offer that you have stumbled upon or that has been directed specifically to your email address. If you do decide to proceed with looking into the offer more closely, proceed cautiously. Rather than clicking a link, you can research the company independently and see what pops up. It’s not enough that they have a website, since registering a domain is relatively easy, make sure the content of the site has some substance. You’ll find that scam websites are often devoid of anything meaningful.If you’re still unsure call the company directly, if the contact information is not listed on the website then you have your answer. Just avoid providing any personal information or clicking links.Finding jobs online is the new normal, so taking the extra steps for safety should become second nature. When you follow these tips, you can guarantee your information will be safe and you’ll have greater access to finding an opportunity fit for you.About the Author:Joe Peters is a Baltimore-based freelance writer and an ultimate tech enthusiast. When he is not working his magic as a marketing consultant, this incurable tech junkie enjoys reading about latest apps and gadgets and binge-watching his favorite TV shows. You can reach him @bmorepeters

Comparison between life in Saudi Arabia and the United States Essay

Comparison between life in Saudi Arabia and the United States - Essay Example For example, in Saudi Arabia, when it is time for Salaat, which is the name for prayer in Islam, everybody can be seen rushing towards the Mosques. Saudi Arabians leave every business apart and go to the mosque to offer the prayers five times a day. They value Salaat above every other matter, and would not miss a prayer in any case. This particular habit of the Saudi Arabians makes them quite distinguished from Muslims in other countries. Not many Muslims in the United States rush towards Mosques when it is the time for Salaat. Likewise, people from all other religions are not as practicing towards their religions in United States in general as the Muslims in Saudi Arabia are, at least with respect to prayers and appearance. The condition of law and order is much better in Saudi Arabia than it is in the United States. According to the most recent statistics about rape per capita recorded by (NationMaster.com), the rapes per capita in the United States are 0.301318 per 1,000 people wh ere as the same in Saudi Arabia are 0.00329321 per 1,000 people. In Saudi Arabia, when it is the time for Salaat, shopkeepers do not even shut their shops for the time they are out of it despite having nobody on their behalf to take care of the shop in their absence. They are so confident that no one is going to rob or steal anything from the shop. And the most interesting part of it is that, nobody really does steal there. This can be fundamentally attributed to the fact that punishments in Saudi Arabia for crime are just too strict for somebody to commit it. If someone is found guilty of stealth, the thief’s hand is cut off. Likewise, if somebody is proved to have committed Zina’, that is the Arabic name for rape, or illegal sex or sex with someone out of the marital relationship, he/she is stoned to death. These are the punishments enforced by Islam for the respective sins. As Islamic laws have been enforced in Saudi Arabia, the crime rate is significantly less than what it is in the United States. In United States, the police is generally very efficient and the law and order is also extremely strict, yet the crime rate is higher than in Saudi Arabia because of several reasons. A person in United States would surely close the shop before leaving the shop for any purpose, or if not close it, would make arrangements to keep the things secure. The culture of United States is largely dominated by multiculturalism. â€Å"America is ultimately a nation of immigrants and as a result is a cultural mish-mash in every sense of the word† (Kwintessential.co.uk). There are people from all over the world who have come to United States for studies or work. Multiculturalism is far more dominant in the life in United States than it is in Saudi Arabia. People from all over the world that have been migrating to United States in the past have brought their individualistic cultures along with them that have blended well with the native culture of the United States. With the passage of time, the culture of United States has started to reflect the colors of all different cultures whose people make part of its society. Because of the widespread multiculturalism, no single religion dominates in the culture of United States. Accordingly, United States has formulated laws, policies, rules and regulations according to social factors

Dasani water Market Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dasani water Market Analysis - Essay Example The social factors that influence consumers to purchase dasani water include reference groups and social status. Family groups are the most vital purchasing organizations within a particular society. Women have been constantly recognized as the primary purchaser for the family unit. Nonetheless, traditional responsibilities are changing since many women have started concentrating in their jobs while more men have started working from home (Glennon, 2002). Therefore, the buying behavior of this product has been affected by the changes in family buying habits where men have turned out to be the potential product buyers. Additionally, those individuals who are not married tend to buy bottled water because they do not have enough time to treat tap water for personal consumption. The company has realized increased sales among the college students. Majority of them are still single (Franklin & Madalinski, 2009). The social status of customers has also played a noteworthy role influencing the buying habits of Dasani water. Customers from rich and middle class families tend to buy the product while those from poor families prefer using tap water. For that reason, the number of sales recorded from the sale of dasani water has been high in the urban areas in comparison to the rural. The situation is attributed to differences in social status. Personal factors that have influenced customers to purchase Dasani water include occupation, activities, qualities, age, and stage of life. Many people working in offices tend to purchase dasani water because they believe that office tap waters are not clean for consumption (Doria, 2006). In addition, it is often difficult for such persons to access water at the desired time. People involved in rigorous activities such as sports need water to quench their thirst. Consequently, the company has embarked on marketing

Interview Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Interview - Essay Example My uncle reckons that this was the year that Ronald Reagan became the President of U.S after defeating Jimmy Carter in a landslide victory. According to him, this set tone to the famous â€Å"Reagan Revolution† (The White House Web) that marked the end of distress and humiliation in America. Indeed, he recalls that life was so tough that at twenty-one years, he did not have a car neither was he married. As a result, he states that he was using the train and bicycles to shop, attend school, and search for a part-time job. This actually relates to my life today where I also do not have a car nor am I married despite having a part-time job. He quotes that many Americans at his age were economically and socially unstable in 1981. He laments that the fact that the economy was crippling and unemployment was significantly high in America in 1981 led to this situation. However, this was to change in the â€Å"Reagan Revolution.† Indeed, the levels of employment are significantl y better today than they were in 1981 when Mr Haskins was aged 21 years. In fact, the level of unemployment fell to a 7.7 percentage this year that reflects economic stability in the US (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Indeed, he reckons that Reagan was fundamental in restoring the Americans’ pride and confidence in facing the future. To him, this year marked a political shift in American, as a massive number of Americans became converts to the conservative political ideology adopted by Reagan. In the same manner, the political ideology adopted by President Obama during his swearing-in to serve his second term, derives a lot of confidence to most Americans today. Actually, the promises made by Reagan to fix the economy and safeguard America from its enemies, encouraged Americans to face the future. This promise relates to the one made by President Obama this year. Nevertheless, Mr Haskins claims that the planned President Reagan assassination on March 30 1981 almost shut th e new American spirit. However, Mr Haskins reckons that the survival of the President from this unfortunate event in American history was the turning point in modern American history. According to him, this event seemingly washed away all the negativity in America. In contrast, there has been political stability in US this year and Americans feel safer and well governed. In the same year, the laws of equality came to life in America when Reagan nominated Judge Sandra Day O'Connor as the first woman Chief Justice in the US Supreme Court (The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law Web). This equally nourished the spirits of many Americans and magnified the image of US in the world of democracy. This trend has continued over the years and today we have more respect to human rights and equality in US. Indeed, we have had more females serving the Americans in higher government levels. Specifically, we have Hillary Clinton who retired this year as the Secretary of State (United S tates Department of State Web). Unfortunately, the Air controllers’ strike on American soil disrupted flights in 1981 thus increasing Mr Haskins worries and fears. However, this year has seen Americans enjoy heightened security and they feel more secure in U.S. At the same time, my uncle claims that US government brought new disability eligibility rules thus affecting my grandfather who consequently lost his

Summary 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Summary 4 - Essay Example It goes without saying that the story of the life and deeds of this great man are now intermingled with numerous mysteries and myths. Thus, it is still unknown when St. Benedict was born, though â€Å"tradition teaches† that he was born in 480 and died in 547.1 According to Gregory the Great, who was St. Benedict’s biographer, the saint lived from 480 up to 543.2 St. Benedict was born in â€Å"the province of Nursia of honourable parentage and sent to Rome to study the liberal sciences†.3 However, at the age of fourteen Benedict abandons the school and starts his glorious way of a virtuous man and spiritual shepherd.4 He starts living in solitude in one of the caves of the mountains not far from Rome. Soon he starts living in monasteries where he inspires other monks (and other people) by his virtues. Admittedly, the life in monasteries was the necessary background for the creation of his code of rules. It is noteworthy that he could read Latin which made it poss ible for him to get acquainted with works of Cassian and other prominent monastic writings.5 At this point it is necessary to point out that in his biography Gregory the Great also mentions numerous miracles worked by St. Benedict. Of course, this cannot be regarded as facts from the saint’s biography. ... d and God has not abandoned his people; he continues to bless them with holy persons†.6 It goes without saying that Benedict did lead a virtuous life and made a lot of rightful things to become such a symbol for millions of people. He established 12 monasteries and never stopped teaching monks and other people to live rightfully. However, the major work of St. Benedict is his Rule which he, presumably, wrote in Monte Cassino.7 The Rule contains the major guideline for monasticism which â€Å"was and is still used in many monasteries and convents† worldwide.8 The reason why the Rule has become the guideline for millions is quite simple. The principles articulated by St. Benedict were simple and rightful. The Rule is properly structured and is written in a form of preaching, or rather exhortation. In the first place, Benedict reveals the aims he is eager to achieve in his Rule. In the Prologue he states that only obedience and rightful work can bring monks to their Holy Fa ther. In the Prologue Benedict calls monks for changes: â€Å"It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep†.9 Thus, St. Benedict claims that there is a need to change some wrongful ways and turn to God. It is important to note that in his Rule Benedict points out some misdeeds. For instance, he warns abbots of â€Å"more care for fleeting, worldly things†.10 The major reason why Benedict’s Rule has been accepted in the entire western world is that it promulgated basic principles of Christianity. The Rule shows the way to make Christian monasticism rightful. Notably, St. Benedict pays much attention to the role of the Abbot. In fact, St. Benedict depicts the â€Å"rightful† Abbot, who is patient, reasonable, and virtuous. According to Benedict the rightful Abbot should inspire his disciples by his deeds,

Strategic management case on Penn National Gaming Study

Strategic management on Penn National Gaming - Case Study Example The report will be primarily divided into three sections. The first section will be presenting a brief overview of the company. Apart from that, this section will also shed light on the history, competitors, mission and vision statement of the company. The second section will discuss and analyze the current strategies of the company. In addition, the financial data will also be covered. The last section will emphasize on the findings from all the strategic and financial analyses. Finally few recommendations will be provided to improve the efficiency of the company. Penn National Gaming: History Penn National Gaming is a gaming operator, which is currently headquartered at Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, United States. The root of the company dates back to the early 1970s when the company opened its first venture ‘Penn National Race Course’ in the year 1972 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. ... Penn National Gaming (PNG) with its subsidiaries also operates in the field of racing and gaming industry. Company Overview: Penn National Gaming PNG or Penn National Gaming is a multi jurisdictional, diversified and manager and owner of pari-mutuel properties and gaming. According to the recent report, the company operates with around 29 facilities throughout 19 jurisdictions. The list includes Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, Florida, Maine, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, New Mexico, Indiana, Maryland, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, and Ontario. Apart from that, Penn National Gaming also manages a casino in Canada. The total operated facilities of the company nearly accounts to 850 table games, 36,800 gaming machines, 2,900 hotel rooms and a gaming floor space of 1.6 million square feet. The company presently operates with around 17,000 employees. As of 2011 the net revenue of the company was US $ 2, 742.25 million. The major products and services of the company include Casino gaming, Off-track wagering facilities, Horse racing and Slot machines (Plunkett, 2009). Some of the company owned properties include Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Slots Hotel and Raceway, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Off-track Wagering Facilities, Argosy Casino Riverside, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Argosy Casino Alton, Account Wagering/Internet Wagering, Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, Pimlico Race Course, Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis, Hollywood Casino Tunica, Sioux City, Argosy Casino, Boomtown Biloxi, Black Gold Casino at Zia Park,

English - Genetically Modified Foods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

English - Genetically Modified Foods - Essay Example Yet, these developments are not purely benevolent. As the potential long-term effects of eating the resulting food is unknown, many consumers are afraid of future side effects and prefer foods that are naturally cultivated. Genetically modified plants and animals are, by definition, altered at their most fundamental levels, mutated in ways totally foreign to time-honored methods. One of the most significant debates presently occurring in the realm of genetically altered foods is over whether or not poultry produced via the developments of biotechnology create a healthy food supply. Although the full repercussions of consuming such meat over a lifetime will not be known for many years, I believe the prospects of better yields and stronger resistance to disease outweighs this. Genetically engineered poultry are the way of the future, and this future is to the greatest benefit to farmers, consumers and the poultry themselves. For thousands of years, mankind has domesticated fowl for eggs, meat and the breeding of subsequent generations of stock. Although using completely new methods and concepts, modern science is in fact advancing the practice of farming to achieve desired beneficial traits. Historical evidence suggests that humans have manipulated birds as required through purposeful breeding schemes and animal husbandry. Theoretically, genetic engineering is only a new potential avenue in this traditional art of bettering livestock populations. Combining the traits scientists wish to insert via biotechnology into the domesticated fowl is an ideal situation for farmers. Through this new tool in farming, consumers also benefit with lower prices, better tasting meat, and even meat which will microwave more effectively, thus answering to contemporary cooking instruments. People have always sought to enhance the desirable qualities of domesticated poultry. However, these processes may hot have anyways been humane or caring towards the animals. One such customary and fully legal practice in the United States is to starve hens for weeks at a time in order to manipulate egg production, despite the potential for serious health problems that might lead to premature death. Genetic engineering of the chickens can prevent further unethical acts towards these animals, which are regularly kept in mechanized environments and regularly mutilated, starved, forced to reproduce through artificial insemination, and left unprotected from widespread disease. Through the creation of chickens that are resistant to disease and able to mature quickly and stay in better health, the current ways of increasing the chicken growth rate can mercifully be abandoned. One of the worst negative effects of captivity is a dehabilitating leg weakness caused by tibial dyschondroplasia. In the natural environment, only 1.2 percent of chickens suffer from this condition, where 49 percent of domesticated chicken are plagued with these leg problems.1 The prospect of making chickens grow larger, leaner, and faster is very appealing to farmers, and as a biotech company president said, "I'm not sure that birds have preferences about their body shape." Genetic engineering can propagate a stock that is better suited for domestic conditions, insuring a better quality of life. Disease prevention among chickens is extremely important to both farmers and consumers,

Strategic management case on Penn National Gaming Study

Strategic management on Penn National Gaming - Case Study Example The report will be primarily divided into three sections. The first section will be presenting a brief overview of the company. Apart from that, this section will also shed light on the history, competitors, mission and vision statement of the company. The second section will discuss and analyze the current strategies of the company. In addition, the financial data will also be covered. The last section will emphasize on the findings from all the strategic and financial analyses. Finally few recommendations will be provided to improve the efficiency of the company. Penn National Gaming: History Penn National Gaming is a gaming operator, which is currently headquartered at Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, United States. The root of the company dates back to the early 1970s when the company opened its first venture ‘Penn National Race Course’ in the year 1972 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. ... Penn National Gaming (PNG) with its subsidiaries also operates in the field of racing and gaming industry. Company Overview: Penn National Gaming PNG or Penn National Gaming is a multi jurisdictional, diversified and manager and owner of pari-mutuel properties and gaming. According to the recent report, the company operates with around 29 facilities throughout 19 jurisdictions. The list includes Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, Florida, Maine, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, New Mexico, Indiana, Maryland, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, and Ontario. Apart from that, Penn National Gaming also manages a casino in Canada. The total operated facilities of the company nearly accounts to 850 table games, 36,800 gaming machines, 2,900 hotel rooms and a gaming floor space of 1.6 million square feet. The company presently operates with around 17,000 employees. As of 2011 the net revenue of the company was US $ 2, 742.25 million. The major products and services of the company include Casino gaming, Off-track wagering facilities, Horse racing and Slot machines (Plunkett, 2009). Some of the company owned properties include Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Slots Hotel and Raceway, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Off-track Wagering Facilities, Argosy Casino Riverside, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Argosy Casino Alton, Account Wagering/Internet Wagering, Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, Pimlico Race Course, Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis, Hollywood Casino Tunica, Sioux City, Argosy Casino, Boomtown Biloxi, Black Gold Casino at Zia Park,

Micronutrient deficiency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Micronutrient deficiency - Essay Example Still, much needs to be done, before a complete and conclusive success is achieved in this aspect of health care. Disorders Caused by Iodine Deficiency Iodine deficiency can impact human health much before the birth of a child. Iodine deficiency has the potential to jeopardize children’s mental health and in some instances could put to risk the very survival of a child (WHO: Online). Iodine deficiency leads to the impairment of the cognitive development in children (WHO: Online). Iodine deficiency has severe repercussions during pregnancy. It could lead to still births, abortions and may lead to congenital abnormalities like mental retardation that is grave and mostly irreversible, and cretinism (WHO: Online). Iodine deficiency also gives way to goiter (WHO: Online). These are some of the visible and easily discernable disorders caused by iodine deficiency. Of far greater significance is the less visible impact of iodine deficiency that most often gives way to mental impairmen t resulting in a compromise of the intellectual capacities in children and adults, in the day to day life (WHO: Online). Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency Some common symptoms of iodine deficiency include goiter or enlargement of the thyroid, weight gain, weakness, fatigue and depression (Mercer, 2006).

Understanding and Applying the Benefits of Learning Organizations Essay Example for Free

Understanding and Applying the Benefits of Learning Organizations Essay With today’s increasing challenges created by diversity and proliferation of information, organizations are continuously adapting to address these developments and relate these trends with the overall objective of promoting its values and principles. At the same time, there has been a commitment among institutions and organizations to bridge the gap brought about by cultural differences and conflict. It is through this area that they seek to create an environment where active learning and fostering elements of participation take place. Operating on this idea, there is a need towards creating an environment wherein collective responsibility and accountability is fostered. By applying this concept, better appreciation can be deciphered and lead towards greater application of an organization’s overall purpose. In the end, by recognizing the relevance of values, goals and practices and supplementing it with an appropriate leadership style, it can actively facilitate effective interplay of power among members and augment the needed areas for change. Organizational Learning vs. Learning Organizations Prior to dwelling into the analysis of the concept, it is essential to differentiate the term organizational learning with learning organizations. This is important because it can give out the necessary parameters where this term functions and how it can create the viable opportunities for application. Looking at it, the term organizational learning circumvents around the initiative to develop and enhance processes associated to increase effectiveness in both production and output. It operates in such a way that â€Å"organizations have invested much energy in making improvements in company performance using TQM, reengineering, external consultants and a host of other techniques concerned with the continuous improvement processes† (Dar-El, 2000, p. 186). On the other hand, the term learning organizations is a relatively new concept that seeks to create a move towards change in a more holistic setup. â€Å"Learning organizations [are] organizations where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together† (Smith, 2001, p. 1). It is in this area that the people conceptualize on creating a framework that is admissive and responsive to the challenges given. With these given, it can be argued that these two practices have different outlook towards the facilitation of learning and improvement. Though these two ideas may be similar in the promotion of change, it has become divergent on how it can be applied and implemented within an organizational setup. â€Å"The literature on organizational learning has concentrated on the detached collection and analysis of the processes involved in individual and collective learning inside organizations; whereas the learning organizations literature has an action orientation, and is geared toward using specific diagnostic and evaluative methodological tools which can help to identify, promote and evaluate the quality of learning processes inside organizations† (Smith, 2001, p. 1). Application Applying the concepts given in my professional practice as an educator, there have been several facets and elements that can characterize it as a learning organizations. Among these principles that shall be elaborated include: (1) mission and vision, (2) values and principles, (3) communication/dialogue, (4) feedback mechanism, and (5) leadership. These facets have been instrumental towards guiding both my educational institution and as an educator to actively address the challenges of 21st century education and promote an environment wherein not only the student achieves growth but also the organization I work for. Lastly, these components allow active measurements that both coincide with standards and increasing needs of students as far as accountability and responsibility is concerned. Mission and Vision One important aspect that makes my institution be characterized under learning organization is having the effective mission and vision. This element is essential because it serves as a benchmark and foundation of how it can address the needs for improvement. By elaborating on the core values that can impart education to students and allow the institution to grow in the process can guarantee that it is adherent to both standards and change. Likewise, this initiative allows both administrators and educators to take a step closer to transformative education and creating values that is responsive to student objectives and the hurdles associated with the practice (First and Way, 1995). Similarly, under this facet, the incorporation of core values are then utilized and synchronized towards intensifying ways and methods in making the organization evolve and grow in the process of education. It outlines the essential models that will allow such mission and vision to be realized. Seeing the process, â€Å"it encompasses the passions, drives and motivating factors that propel the organization into the future† (E-How, 2004, p. 1). In the end, these actions not only cultivate the needs of the present times but also outline the necessary parameters for future practice in both education and organizational growth. Seeing this, the institution that I am part of considers this importance that is why it has aligned its mission and vision to actively respond to the need of the school to learn and find ways to improve. That is why it has abolished and created new practices that are deemed significant to this overall objective. Values and Specific Objectives Another significant aspect why I consider my organization geared towards learning is having the effective values and principles. Understanding these two concepts, it can be argued that they are the facets that make the mission and vision become applicable in the educational environment. By actively aligning these standards towards organizational learning, it can generate and create educators and students who are responsive to the challenges of 21st century education. â€Å"When the values of the organization are focused on the higher levels of consciousness and employees are focused on the lower levels of consciousness, employees are encouraged to grow and develop† (Barett, 2003, p. 4). Applying this principles in my organization, I can argue that majority of our school’s objectives adheres to the idea of learning organizations. The values and objectives are actively aligned to standards and cultivate the capabilities of educators to provide instruction. At the same time, it provides mechanisms wherein administrators can actively incorporate new values that is considered essential not only on the growth of the students but also on the educational institution. Lastly, it presents several programs and mechanisms that allow these objectives to be realized. By allowing these methods to be applied with considerable consideration on feedback and monitoring, it allows the school to hone its policies which in turn leads to growth and learning. Imparting Communication into Practice Communication is also another crucial element in the practice of learning organizations. This process allows the creation of new patterns and methods that can be beneficial in practice. Such practice can serve as a medium wherein the goals and vision can be administered and facilitated. â€Å"Communication methods that convey the essence of the vision vary from formal meetings, to publication and casual conversation† (E-How, 2004, p. 1). By realizing that these processes are possible, the organization can apply its objectives and advance on the interplay of power using different mediums of interaction and facilitation with an end goal becoming learning organizations (Bamburg, 2000). Such practice makes the overall goal easier and compliments the overall intention of introducing change. Opening up avenues for dialogue and exchange of ideas can also provide the needed boost in facilitating conflict resolutions that affects performance and ability to perform goals and objectives. At the same time, by incorporating a standardized way of engaging with others, individuals and groups realize the essence of what truly matters and deepens their relationship with each other. This then in turn results towards further advancement and learning. â€Å"When people talk and listen to each other this way, they create a field of alignment that produces tremendous power to invent new realities in conversations, and to bring about these new realities in action† (Kofman and Senge, 2006, p. 33). In our educational institution, there had been several ways that the school created to reinforce dialogue not only with teachers but also on other important actors within the community. This process allows each party to rethink and analyze the current strategies at play and formulate new strategies that can be employed which will strengthen and intensify the level of cooperation among groups involved. At the same time, there exist both formal and informal arenas wherein educators, administrators and related parties can point out and further their interests concerning organizational development. In our aspiration to become learning organizations, we had realized that we must use communication and dialogue to further our interests and promote administer our target and expected outcomes. Creating Feedback Mechanisms The inclusion of feedbacks in every organization is another relevant component in attaining continued growth and expansion in learning organizations. By allowing this practice to be incorporated within the framework of every institution, it allows insight on instruments that matter and find new ways to redefine on methods that are considered to be obsolete or ineffective. â€Å"Recognizing success and failures helps create a shared learning within the organization that continues to drive the organization towards becoming a learning organization† (E-How, 2004, p. 1). Under this process involves several strategies that can introduce and incorporate the values and objectives in practice. It can range from documentation towards training which overall outlines the relevant areas that can shift from traditional actions into becoming a group that is holistic, administrative, and encompassing (Szostek, 2002). Likewise, this initiative calls for active and responsible ways of enacting organizational objectives and policies. By allowing feedback to come into play, it ensures that efficient measurements are given to actively gauge both the direction and response an organization has made in achieving its objectives. â€Å"When successful methods are developed, recognizing the importance of modeling those successes throughout the organization creates the paradigm of a learning organization† (E-How, 2004, p. 1). Considering this application in my present organization, I feel that the school provides several instruments that can provide avenues for learning organizations. Not only does it give out measurable objectives but it also caters to increasing chances for all parties to respond to the scheme implemented. In this process, there are available mechanisms that will actively measure the performance of teachers given to administrators and parents. It presents criteria of what things are relevant and important in the classroom. At the organizational level, we teachers are given a feedback form to determine the feasibility of student and school programs and what other issues need to be improved and developed. These methods enable us to continuously adapt not only to student needs but also incorporate on new ways to improve the current system. Realizing the Significance of Leadership Every organization for it to pursue its objectives and goals, it must have an entity that serves as a guide in paving its direction. It must be able to allocate the needed resources and recognize the significance of each actor in the attainment of its vision and mission. Seeing this, as the elements of learning organizations come into place, it requires an important component to strengthen and bind these together; leadership. In such manner â€Å"Learning organizations use shared leadership principles to maximize their resources and develop leadership capacity within individuals† (Kansas State University, 1998, p. 1). At the same time, the application of leadership style does not solely rely on a single approach. Rather, it must be a mixture of several strategies that seek to promote and intensify the practice of learning organizations. These approaches in turn must also take into consideration the background, history, affiliations, and culture of members to become encompassing and facilitative of each actors needs (Dar-El, 2000). By catering into these principles, the leader can now set programs and mechanisms that can establish a firm foundation for learning to take place in different levels. Lastly, the leader must be able to capture the needs of all actors involved in an organization. He/she must outline the issues revolving not only within the institutional arena but also focus action in enhancing group dynamics. This diversity of issues thus requires a myriad of approaches to make it adaptive and resilient to change. â€Å"A comprehensive view of a learning organization is that it is an organization in which learning begins at the level of the individual, proceeds through the level of the team, and is codified and stored at the level of processes and systems† (Kansas State University, 1998, p. 1) In the end, it clearly assumes that the overall process of learning organizations revolve not only on one level but on various dimensions that effective leadership can only control and provide. In applying this tenet in our educational institution, we in the school together share the dimensions of leadership that is mentioned. As an educator, I am not only tasked and responsible for student growth but at the same time I should seek for opportunities wherein I can contribute in the academic and professional realm. I believe that my actions together with other educators can contribute to the overall goal of achieving learning organizations in a collective manner. This form of collaborative setup is what makes our institution dynamic and susceptible to challenges. Also, our educational institution tries to reach out and take into consideration the relevant contribution of group dynamics and other actors in the process of achieving our goals and objectives. Not only shall this outlines further cooperation in enhancing education, it also gives the institution new insights to make facilitation and instruction better; thus creating an effective learning organization. Conclusion The call for learning organizations has increased opportunities for many individuals and groups to maximize and realign their goals to supplement this objective. Due to this, it has allowed the creation of processes and outputs that is more dynamic and effective in practice. Not only does this contribute to a renewed interest in organizational dynamics but also allowed the interplay of dialogue, power and administration be geared towards further growth and development in a holistic manner. References Bamburg, J. D. Learning, Learning Organizations, and Leadership: Implications for the Year 2050. Retrieved April 20, 2009 from, http://www. newhorizons. org/trans/bamburg. htm Barrett, R. (2003) The Importance of Values Alignment. Retrieved April 20, 2009. 1-4 Dar-El, E. (2000) Chapter 9: Learning Organizations in Human Learning. (US; Springer) Retrieved April 20, 2009. 185 – 210. E-How (2004) How to Develop a Learning Organization. Retrieved April 20, 2009 from, http://www. ehow. com/how_2263534_develop-learning-organization. html First, J. A. and Way, W. L. (1995) Parent Education Outcomes: Insights in Transformative Learning in Family Relations. 44 no. 1 Retrieved April 20, 2009. 104-109 Kansas State University (1998) Leadership in a learning organization. Retrieved April 20, 2009 from, http://www. oznet. ksu. edu/leads/FACT%20Sheets/fact9. pdf Kofman, F. and Senge, P. M. (2006) Communities of Commitment: The Heart of Learning Organizations in Learning Organizations: Developing Cultures for Tomorrow’s Workplace. ed. Sharita Shawla and John Renesch. (US; Productivity Press) 15 44 Smith, M. (2001) The learning organization in infed. Retrieved April 20, 2009 from, http://www. infed. org/biblio/learning-organization. htm Szostek, L. (2002) Creating the Learning Organization. Retrieved April 20, 2009 from, http://www. businessknowhow. com/manage/learningorg. htm